Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Exploring Google Static Maps API


The Google Static Maps API lets you embed a Google Maps image on your webpage without requiring JavaScript or any dynamic page loading. The Google Static Map service creates your map based on URL parameters sent through a standard HTTP request and returns the map as an image you can display on your web page.

The new version Static Maps API v2 will no longer requires a Maps API key which is now open and easy for everybody.

Please see my sample HTTP query string for a Static Map.

http://maps.google.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=14.559041,121.020091&zoom=14&size=300x300&maptype=roadmap&markers=color:blue|label:S|14.559048,121.020095&markers=color:green|label:G|14.559041,121.020091&markers=color:red|color:red|label:C|14.559044,121.020101&sensor=false

URL Parameters:
A Google Static Maps API URL must be of the following form:

http://maps.google.com/maps/api/staticmap?parameter1=value1&parameter2=value2...

Location Parameters:
  • center (required if markers not present) defines the center of the map, equidistant from all edges of the map. This parameter takes a location as either a comma-separated {latitude,longitude} pair (e.g. "14.559041,121.020091") or a string address (e.g. "city hall, new york, ny") identifying a unique location on the face of the earth. For more information, see Specifying Locations for more information.
  • zoom (required if markers not present) defines the zoom level of the map, which determines the magnification level of the map. This parameter takes a numerical value corresponding to the zoom level of the region desired. For more information, see Zoom Levels for more information.

Map Parameters:
  • size (required) defines the rectangular dimensions of the map image. This parameter takes a string of the form valuexvalue where horizontal pixels are denoted first while vertical pixels are denoted second. For example, 500x400 defines a map 500 pixels wide by 400 pixels high. If you create a static map that is 100 pixels wide or smaller, the "Powered by Google" logo is automatically reduced in size.
  • format (optional) defines the format of the resulting image. By default, the Static Maps API creates PNG images. There are several possible formats including GIF, JPEG and PNG types. Which format you use depends on how you intend to present the image. JPEG typically provides greater compression, while GIF and PNG provide greater detail. For more information, see Image Formats.
  • maptype (optional) defines the type of map to construct. There are several possible maptype values, including roadmap, satellite, hybrid, and terrain. For more information, see Static Maps API Maptypes for more information.
  • language (optional) defines the language to use for display of labels on map tiles. Note that this parameter is only supported for some country tiles; if the specific language requested is not supported for the tile set, then the default language for that tile set will be used.

Feature Parameters:
  • markers (optional) define one or more markers to attach to the image at specified locations. This parameter takes a single marker definition with parameters separated by the pipe character (|). Multiple markers may be placed within the same markers parameter as long as they exhibit the same style; you may add additional markers of differing styles by adding additional markers parameters. Note that if you supply markers for a map, you do not need to specify the (normally required) center and zoom parameters. For more information, see Static Map Markers for more information.
  • path (optional) defines a single path of two or more connected points to overlay on the image at specified locations. This parameter takes a string of point definitions separated by the pipe character "|". You may supply additional paths by adding additional path parameters. Note that if you supply a path for a map, you do not need to specify the (normally required) center and zoom parameters. For more information, see Static Map Paths for more information.
  • visible (optional) specifies one or more locations that should remain visible on the map, though no markers or other indicators will be displayed. Use this parameter to ensure that certain features or map locations are shown on the static map.
  • style (optional) defines a custom style to alter the presentation of a specific feature (road, park, etc.) of the map. This parameter takes feature and element arguments identifying the features to select and a set of style operations to apply to that selection. You may supply multiple styles by adding additional style parameters. For more information, see Styled Maps for more information.

Reporting Parameters:
  • sensor (required) specifies whether the application requesting the static map is using a sensor to determine the user's location. This parameter is required for all static map requests. For more information, see Denoting Sensor Usage for more information.

Resource: code.google.com
Posted by Unknown at 12:32 PM
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Leadership 101


  • Leadership demands sacrifices for the near-term to receive lasting benefits. the longer we wait to make sacrifices, the harder they become. Successful people make important decisions early in their life, then manage those decisions the rest of their lives.
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